Although the Secretariat and the Technical Review Panel have been responsive, the funding request process turned out to be challenging for the countries

The Technical Review Panel (TRP’s) has just completed its assessment of the funding requests submitted within the first window in March. It is sending notifications to the Secretariat’s country teams and the Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs). Due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, the TRP worked remotely to assess funding requests.

The Executive Director shared the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis and how it affects and will influence the reflection on the next strategy.

In keeping with tradition, Peter Sands opened discussions at this 43rd meeting of the Global Fund Board. Held virtually with a lighter agenda, this meeting was above all an opportunity to look back at the unprecedented global health crisis the world is currently facing and how the Global Fund has responded to prevent the very serious effects anticipated.

The Secretariat provided the Board with a recap of actions taken by the Global Fund, as of 8 May 2020 in three main areas: protect the Secretariat staff while continuing to work; protect the Global Fund “Core Mission” to fight AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria; and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Information for this article comes from a document prepared for the Board meeting held on 14-15 May 2020.